CHAP. I. 
RETURN TO TRIPOLI. 
57 
paid for in advance ; but other expenses, which were unavoidable, 
would, we had no doubt, extend far beyond our narrow limits. 
The allowance of ^2000, which was made to Mr. Ritchie, had 
already been expended, in buying Merchandize, Instruments, 
Arms, &c. and otherwise making provision for the welfare of the 
Mission ; but the merchandize was selected in England, and unfor- 
tunately was such as could be of little utility in the interior, of which 
circumstance we were not aware until too late ; for, with the excep- 
tion of cutlery, we had, in fact, nothing which would sell. We had 
Beads and looking-glasses in abundance ; but neither of these 
articles were of the kind most in request amongst the Negroes, 
who, we learnt, were as much wedded to fashion, as the inhabitants 
of more civiUzed countries. Such was the inauspicious state of our 
affairs, when we entered on our hazardous journey, determined 
at all events, that, however unpromising in its commencement, its 
failure should Jiot be attributed to our want of zeal in the service 
we had undertaken. 
On the 1 8th March, the Bashaw held a public audience ; and 
Mukni, in presence of the British consul, as well as ourselves, 
pledged himself to assist us in all our difficulties. 
I 
